Folkston and Charlton County sustained a severe loss last Sunday night in the death of Elder William Owen Gibson, a man of undisputed leadership in public life for many years. His death is mourned by a host of friends whom he numbered among all businesses, churches and races. An astute man of high intelligence, probably the best posted mind of his day, he was continuously sought for his advice and sane judgment. One of the pioneer families of Camden and Charlton Counties the Gibson family has been intimately identified with all that has been for the betterment and helpfulness of this section.

Mr. Gibson was born on August 29, 1852 over in Camden County and he was married to Miss Julia Ann Vickery on January 15, 1874. He died in the Ware County hospital in Waycross after a brief illness for he had been in failing health for several years.

Elder Gibson was ordained into the Primitive Baptist ministry forty years ago last February. He has been one of the most active and loyal members of the Alabaha River Primitive Baptist Association for over fifty-eight years, having served as Clerk of the Association for fifty years.

He also has had an unusually active and honorable record in local and state politics. He served his county state in the General Assembly and served his county in the following offices, upon which his work reflected great credit. At the age of 25 he was elected a Justice of the Peace in the old Centreville District of Charlton County; he served two terms as Tax Collector; four years as County School Commissioner, 1890-1894 and he was the census enumerator for the U.S. Census of 1890. In all through his life he was a power for righteousness and good government.

He is survived by his widow, four daughters, five sons, one brother, forty-one grandchildren and forty great-grandchildren. His brother is H.G. Gibson of Folkston. His daughters are Mrs. B.S. Prescott of Winokur, Miss Alice Gibson of Waycross, Mrs. A.H. Howard of Nranja, Fla., and Mrs. P.U. Griffin of Hoboken. John S. Gibson of Douglas, Solicitor General of the Waycross Circuit, Charles H. and S.G. Gibson of Folkston, Grady H. Gibson of Waycross and J.W. Gibson of Lamont are his sons.

The funeral was conducted in the Sardis Cemetery by Elder L.M. McDonald. The grove about the church and cemetery was filled with a large number of automobiles and a great gathering of friends and relatives which represented almost the entire citizenry of the county and many from neighboring counties. It was held at ll o’clock on Tuesday morning with interment in the Sardis Cemetery.